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WAR LOOMS CLOSER HOLLWEG
DEFIANT END HAS COME?
Washington, March 30. Only
actual war was talked here generally
today.
Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg
clinched the idea.
Hollweg, considered defiant, weak
and misleading in his arguments,
swept aside all doubts in minds of
international experts that Pres. Wil
son will make- forceful demand upon
congress for America to play full
part in struggle. That Hollweg had
made a poor case for himself and his
nation was general view.
Cabinet and president were expect
ed to shape last details of the presi
dent's "war message" today.
The main thought of it strong
active defense of America's rights
according to authorities has been
crystallized long since.
That Pres. Wilson is rapidly turn
ing more strongly in favor of some
form of universal military training is
view of officials who have followed
events closely.
Military men who know something
of policy ahead declare that war may
be bitterest United States has ever
seen and hence they argue that uni
versal law ought to be applied.
Pacifist element in congress will
be swamped beneath a patriotic
wave, according to unofficial can
vasses today. Congress will uphold
Pres. Wilson to last ditch, it now ap
pears. Hollweg's speech, trying to cast
burden of responsibility on United
States, indicated tone of fatigue. It
was regarded as showing for first
time a lack of the chancellor's usual
"punch" a sort of resignation to
fate.
Moreover, interpreters here said
message was insincere, especially as
regards his statements with respect
to Russia and China.
"We never meddle with the in
ternal affairs," said Hollweg and
Washington answered: "Look at the
Zhiimermaiijjlots'
In case of war, congress is expect
ed to authorize at least 500,000 men.
It will doubtless head what for years
it has disregarded the war depart
ment appeal for supplying adequate
reserves of ordnance and supplies. At
least Sec'y Baker will demand thaL
Navy will undoubtedly ask among
other things more hydjy-aeroplanes.
o o
KAISER GIVES ONLY PROMISES
SOCIALISTS GAIN GROUND
Amsterdam, March 30. For first
since start of war a note of doubt
as to Germany's future has crept into
Reichstag speeches.
Member Spahn in debate today
following Imperial Chancellor von
Bethmann-Hollweg's speech said he
"hoped Germany was prepared to
fight a new and powerful foe." So
cialist Member Noske bitterly cen
sured Foreign Sec'y Zimmermann's
Mexican-Japanese scheme, against
America and declared "Prussian sys
tem of government must be abol
ished." '-'Germany must not be considered
a reactionary country," Noske de
clared. Spahn asserted that all entente
rulers now sit on' unsafe thrones.
"Even in Italy," he said, "a revolu
tionary spirit is seething and the
king is tottering on his throne."
Although dispatches from Ger
many indicated approbation over
Hollweg's "no compromise" attitude
on submarine warfare, expressed in
his formal speech of yesterday,
there were various reports here of
widespread discontent over his fail
ure to announce promised electoral
reforms. Hollweg was quoted as de
claring time was not yet ripe for such
reforms, since greater part of Ger
many's voting population is in the
trenches.
Socialistic plans are gaining new
adherents in Germany. Russian rev
olution and apparent success of com
pletely democratic government there
have created profound impression
among German, .public. .That Ger-j